A British man is currently missing following a tragic incident where an 11-year-old boy lost his life while swimming in Malta. The authorities, including the police and the Civil Protection Department, initiated an extensive search operation at Ramla Bay after receiving the distress call on Monday afternoon. Despite efforts to rescue the boy and transport him to the hospital, he unfortunately passed away upon arrival.
Details about whether the man and the boy were swimming together when the accident occurred remain unclear. The Meteorological Office had issued warnings about strong winds affecting Malta at the beginning of the week. Tragically, this incident marks the 16th drowning case in Malta since the beginning of 2025.
The search for the missing man, whose identity has not been disclosed, resumed this morning. Local reports indicate that Magistrate Brigitte Sultana has launched an inquiry into the recent events. This incident comes shortly after another British tourist drowned at a renowned location in Malta after using a slide from a pleasure boat into the sea.
The 43-year-old individual entered the waters at the Blue Lagoon in Comino, where bystanders noticed him submerged and immediately provided CPR before medical help arrived. Despite their efforts, he was later pronounced dead in the hospital. Authorities, including volunteer first-aiders from Malta’s Emergency Response and Rescue Corps, responded swiftly to the scene to assist in the rescue operation.
Regrettably, incidents of drowning in Malta have been on the rise. In recent months, several individuals lost their lives due to water-related accidents, including a 35-year-old Italian man and a 71-year-old fisherman. Additionally, a Spanish tourist tragically passed away after sustaining severe injuries from a propeller while boarding a boat in Comino.
Although the Blue Lagoon is a popular tourist spot in Malta, concerns over safety, especially regarding natural ecosystems, have persisted. The site assures visitors of safety measures in place, including lifeguards and designated swimming areas from May to October for enhanced safety.
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